Support for children and families who are grieving | | | Resource Highlight: Summertime and Grief | |
Summer is a season of mixed emotions for many families who are grieving. The end of school and after-school activities can be a relief for some, especially if they struggled with having enough energy and concentration for class and homework. Others will miss the structure and social time that school and sports provide. For adults, summer might mean a less demanding schedule, but could also add the stress of finding childcare or having enough financial resources for camps and trips.
For ways to support those who are grieving during the summertime, download this tip sheet.
|
| Learn more about supporting people who are grieving — join a Grief Education Webinar | | |
Gone Too Soon: Supporting Children and Teens After a Death from Gun Violence
June 19, 2025
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., PT
presented by Cristina Chipriano, LCSW, FT
| |
Every day in the United States we are bombarded with stories of gun violence. Within every story, whether noted by the media or not, there are children, teens, and adults impacted forever by the death of someone in their lives: a parent, caregiver, aunt, uncle, sibling, or friend. In addition to grieving the person who has died, survivors are faced with multiple additional factors which complicate their lives. Join us in this webinar as we explore these factors and ways to support children and teens who are grieving someone who has died from gun violence.
|
| |
Becoming Grief Informed: The Foundations of Grief Education
September 11, 2025
10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., PT
presented by Monique B. Mitchell, PhD, FT
| | |
Being grief-informed sets the foundation for understanding and responding to the needs of people who are grieving someone in their life who has died. Misassumptions lead to misunderstanding and mistreatment. Tune in for more information on this important topic, including the ten core principles of grief-informed practice.
|
| |
The end of year holidays can be especially challenging for children, teens, and families who are grieving. In this webinar, we’ll explore various considerations during the holiday season for families who are grieving (e.g., expectations, pressures, rituals) and helpful ways to support families this holiday season.
| | |
Webinars are $65 per person with discounted pricing when you register for two at the same time. CEUs can be added to any webinar for an additional $15. Registration closes at 10 a.m. Pacific the day prior to the webinar.
In collaboration with the Oregon Chapter of the National Association of Social Work, each of these webinars are eligible for 1.5 continuing education unit (CEU). If you are interested in earning CEUs make sure you add them to your cart at checkout.
| | Thank you to the New York Life Foundation for their continued support on topics surrounding equity, inclusion, and Dougy Center's commitment to children who are grieving. | | Online professional development opportunities for educators | |
One in 11 children will experience the death of a parent or sibling before they turn 18. It's likely that most teachers, school counselors, support staff, and administrators will work with a student who is grieving. Supporting anyone in grief can be intimidating, and especially so when it’s a child or teen.
Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to effectively support students who are grieving with the Grief Education for School Personnel comprehensive course bundle from Dougy Center. This bundle includes two essential courses: Becoming Grief-Informed: Foundations of Grief Education and Supporting Students Who are Grieving. Courses on are online and can be taken on your own schedule and at your own pace.
Through the first course, Becoming Grief-Informed: Foundations of Grief Education, you will gain the knowledge and skills to implement the core principles of grief-informed best practices into your personal and professional life.
The second course, Supporting Students Who are Grieving, provides practical strategies for creating a supportive and inclusive classroom environment for students who are experiencing a significant loss.
A recent learner told us, "I really enjoyed this course and so wish I had this knowledge when I was still teaching. It was very helpful since I still volunteer with school-age kids. Thanks very much."
If you work in a K-12 environment and want to be able to better support your students who are grieving, this is the course for you. Find more information and how to register here.
|
| |
We love to hear from you!
Here’s what a few participants in our recent webinars had to say about their experiences:
“I find value in everything you offer.”
“Your content and topics are excellent!”
“I'm new to Dougy Center trainings. I prefer in person trainings and this webinar format allowed me to participate without having to miss work. It was very professional, and with limited interaction only with the presenter, having the surveys helped me connect with others attending. I really appreciate the information shared after the webinar.”
“Thank you so much for providing this valuable information!”
| | |
National Presentations
- Dr. Donna Schuurman and Dr. Monique Mitchell presented a community training for PUNT Pediatric Cancer Collaborative on Thursday, April 24.
- Dr. Donna Schuurman provided the plenary session for the PUNT Remembrance Weekend for families who have had a child/sibling die from pediatric cancer from Friday, April 25-Sunday, April 27.
- The Youngest Grievers, a Dougy Center grief education webinar, was presented by Alysha Lacey on Thursday, May 15, 2025.
- Alysha Lacey and Cristina Chipriano presented a customized training for the Oregon Community Health Workers Association (ORCHWA) on supporting families through grief and loss on May 21, 2025.
- Dr. Donna Schuurman presented a customized presentation for the National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) Annual Symposium on “The Grief Pill is Coming: What to know before you swallow it” on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
- Cristina Chipriano co-presented a customized presentation for the National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) Annual Symposium on “Inclusive Programming: Strategies for Historically White-Led Agencies” on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
- Jana DeCristofaro presented a customized presentation for the National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) Annual Symposium on “Broadening the Narrative of Grief Through Storytelling: Whose Stories Are We Not Hearing?” on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
- Dr. Monique Mitchell served as a panelist for the 2025 National Alliance for Children’s Grief Symposium Research & Evaluation Panel on “The Power of Research and Practice Partnerships” with Dr. Donna Schuurman moderating the panel on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
- Juliette Martinez presented a poster on “Supporting Youth Grieving Death & Non-Death Losses in Foster Care” on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
- Alysha Lacey and Melissa Peede Thompson presented a customized presentation for the National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) Annual Symposium on “Supporting Volunteers with Behavioral Redirection” on Friday, June 6, 2025.
- Dr. Donna Schuurman presented the closing plenary for the National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) Annual Symposium on “Big Lessons from Little Chairs: Reflections on Childhood Grief and Navigating the Road Ahead” on Friday, June 6, 2025.
| | | | |
